| Sources |
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Jan 2006.
Red Cross names new executive director for Newport
Source: The Newport Plain Talk <http://cocke.xtn.net> 01-27-2006
The American Red Cross and local chapter of the American Red Cross have named a new executive director for Cocke County.
After a two-and-a-half-month search, the local chapter of the American Red Cross has named Drew Ogle as its new executive director.
Ogle has been serving as interim executive director since October 2005 and will be assuming the permanent role immediately. Don Ellison will continue in his role as service delivery specialist in the Newport office.
Ogle began his professional career in 1989 in the lodging industry at his hometown of Gatlinburg. There he worked for Reagan's Resort Properties, the largest lodging company in the popular tourist destination. He held many different positions during his five years at Reagan's, including director of operations, overseeing seven resort hotels in the Sevier County area. During this time, he also earned the designation of certified hotel administrator, the highest level of professional designation awarded by the American Hotel and Motel Association.
Ogle left Reagan's in 1994 to open his own lodging and dining business in Newport. Set on 200 acres on English Mountain, Christopher Place welcomed guests from all 50 states and 14 countries and earned 11 consecutive AAA Four Diamond Awards, placing it in the top four percent of lodging companies in North America.
The inn appeared often in the media, including the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine and on the Travel Channel. During this time, Ogle traveled across the country teaching classes and seminars at innkeeping conferences. It was also during this time that he first began his work in the non-profit industry, serving for five years with the state bed and breakfast association, including two as president.
Ogle sold Christopher Place in February 2005 with the goal of entering the non-profit industry full time. "I enjoyed the lodging business immensely, but I wanted to take my service of others to another level. I had been blessed thus far in my career and I felt it was time to give back to my community," Ogle said.
He chose the American Red Cross and began volunteering there in the summer 2005. This was a natural fit for Ogle, who includes health and fitness among his many hobbies. He is certified as an instructor of adult CPR, infant and child CPR, and first aid, in addition to being a certified personal fitness trainer. He stepped up his volunteer time with the Red Cross in the fall when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and assumed the interim directorship in late October. Ogle said he is pleased to call the Lakeway area his home, especially after seeing the local response to Hurricane Katrina.
"This is such a generous community. We had hundreds of people come into the chapter office to give their time, talents, and money to the relief effort. Witnessing this community spirit first hand, I knew I had made the right choice to call the Lakeway area my home, and I am thrilled to be continuing my work with the American Red Cross." Ogle also praised Don Ellison, the Newport service delivery specialist. "Don has exceptional talents and a vast knowledge of the Red Cross. I am looking forward to working with him."
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1970 - (54 years)
, d. 27 May 2009 (Age 69 years)